Strong wind protection system for a solar panel

ABSTRACT

A detector is used on a solar panel to detect the strength of the wind blowing at it. A height-adjustable support decreases the height of the solar panel, based on the wind strength detection, for protecting the solar panel from potential damages caused by strong winds.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on, and claims priority from Taiwan Application Serial Number 096138764, filed Oct. 17, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a strong wind protection system for protecting a solar panel from being damaged by strong winds.

BACKGROUND FIG. 1 Prior Art

A traditional solar panel 10 is mounted on the top of a stationary post 11, the stationary post 11 is fixed in a pedestal 12 which is anchored in the ground 100. The drawback of the prior art system is that the stationary post 11 has a specific height which is not adjustable. The high-rising solar panel 10 can be damaged by strong winds blowing at it. Solar panels are mostly promoted to be installed in regions such as the Pacific and/or Atlantic rims. However, hurricanes frequently occur in those places, and will likely damage the solar panels. There is a demand to develop a strong wind protection system for a solar panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a prior art device.

FIG. 2 shows a first state of an embodiment according to this invention.

FIG. 3 shows a second state of the embodiment according to this invention.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of embodiments according to this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 shows a first state of an embodiment according to this invention

A pedestal 20 is anchored in the ground 100. A telescopic support 21 extends upward from the pedestal 20. A solar panel 10 is mounted on the top of the telescopic support 21. The telescopic support 21 has a bottom sliding block 22 coupled, e.g., by thread, to a rotation axle 202 within the pedestal 20. The rotation axle 202 is coupled to an electric motor 201 which provides a clockwise or anti-clockwise rotation according to instructions from a control unit 24. The telescopic support 21 is driven by the clockwise or anti-clockwise rotation of the rotation axle 202 to go up or down so as to raise or lower the solar panel 10 on top of it.

A gravitation detector or an acceleration detector 23 is mounted on the solar panel 10 to detect the strength of the wind blowing at it. When the wind strength is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 24 notifies the motor 201 to rotate in the appropriate direction to lower the solar panel 10 to a predetermined height according to a predetermined rule. When the wind strength is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control unit 24 notifies the motor 201 to rotate to raise the solar panel 10 to a predetermined height according to a predetermined rule. FIG. 2 shows that the telescopic support 21 extends to a maximum height, and the solar panel 10 is raised to its highest position.

FIG. 3 shows a second state of the embodiment according to this invention

FIG. 3 shows that the telescopic support 21 is retracted to a minimum height, and the solar panel 10 is lowered to its lowest position. Stops 203 and 204 (FIG. 2) define the maximum and minimum heights of the solar panel 10.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of embodiments according to this invention

A wind speed detector 23 is coupled to a control unit 24. The wind speed detector 23 provides detected information to the control unit 24. The control unit 24 determines the strength of the wind according to the following two algorithms:

(1) Whether the wind speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined value “A”?

If “No”, the control unit 24 continues to receive the information from the wind speed detector 23 and no further action will be taken.

If “Yes”, the control unit 24 instructs the motor 201 to rotate according to a predetermined rule, so that the telescopic support 21 lowers the solar panel 10 to a predetermined position.

(2) Whether the wind speed is equal to or smaller than a predetermined valued “B”?

If “No”, the control unit 24 continues to receive the information from the wind speed detector 23 and no further action will be taken.

If “Yes”, the control unit 24 instructs the motor 201 to rotate according to a predetermined rule, so that the telescopic support 21 raises the solar panel 10 to a predetermined position.

While several embodiments have been described by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Such modifications are all within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A strong wind protection system for a solar panel, comprising: a detector for detecting the strength of the wind; a support, on which the solar panel is mounted and which has an adjustable height; and a control unit, coupled to the support, for adjusting the height of the support according to a predetermined rule and the detected wind strength.
 2. A strong wind protection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detector is an acceleration detector.
 3. A strong wind protection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detector is a gravitation detector.
 4. A strong wind protection system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support is a telescopic support.
 5. A strong wind protection system as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a motor controlled by the control unit for driving an inner shaft of the telescopic support to rotate relative to an outer shaft of the telescopic support, thereby raising or lowering the outer shaft which is coupled to the solar panel. 